But as when hiking at any time of year, or anywhere, always be prepared. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Bring a cellphone, GPS and map, and compass. Bring plenty of water and snacks and the hiking basics including, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, flashlight, rain gear and extra layers of clothes for changeable weather and good footwear.

Following are some hikes to check out any time this summer, but that will feel really good this week:

Erick Payes, Nathan Munos, and Christian Arevalo, of Charlotte, pose for a photograph at the summit ...more

Erick Payes, Nathan Munos, and Christian Arevalo, of Charlotte, pose for a photograph at the summit of the Craggy Gardens trail Friday, June 15, 2018.

Matt Burkhartt/mburkhartt@citize

Mount Mitchell State Park

Where: On the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of Asheville in Yancey County.

Distance/difficulty: 4.4 miles round trip. Either hike the whole way or take two cars, leaving one at the top to shuttle hikers back down.

Highlights: If you’re heading high, why not hit the highest point east of the Mississippi? Mount Mitchell tops out at 6,684 feet elevation and always feels at least 10-20 degrees cooler than in Asheville, with a climate more akin to Canada than the Southern Appalachians.

The Old Mitchell Trail starts at the park office and climbs strenuously for 2.2 miles through dense, often wet, spruce-fir forest to the restaurant, then continues to the summit area, where there is a museum, concession stand and observation deck.

Getting there: From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north about 30 miles to Milepost 355 and turn left at the sign. Park at the park office to start the hike or drive all the way to the summit for a quarter-mile walk on a paved trail to the observation deck.

Mark Tilley, of Asheville, Vered Kantor, of Greenville, S.C, and Tilley's wife Rochelle, hike to the summit of the Craggy Gardens trail Friday, June 15, 2018.

Matt Burkhartt/mburkhartt@citize

Craggy Pinnacle

Where: On the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 364, northeast of Asheville in Buncombe County.

Distance/Difficulty: 1.4 miles round trip/moderate

Highlights: Catawba rhododendrons. The pinkish-purple flower variety of these hardy evergreens should be hitting peak bloom this week in the Craggy Gardens area, in between Asheville and Mount Mitchell. The flowers have a very short window — typically the third week in June — so don’t miss them. The Craggy Pinnacle Trail leads to the 5,892-foot summit, passing partly through a rhododendron tunnel.

Hikers take in the view at the summit of the Craggy Pinnacle trail, Friday, June 15, 2018.

Hikers take in the view at the summit of the Craggy Pinnacle trail, Friday, June 15, 2018.

Matt Burkhartt/mburkhartt@citize

This is a heavily used trail. Try going early in the day to avoid crowds. Dogs must be on a leash. Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will lead a hike starting at 10 a.m. June 22. To join the free hike, meet at the upper level of the Craggy Dome Parking Overlook at MP 364.1.

Bearwallow Mountain

Highlights: The grassy bald summit is 4,200 feet in elevation, which will feel like a nice reprieve from the heat, whether coming from nearby Asheville or Hendersonville. It is especially nice for catching a breeze at sunset, said Peter Barr, trail coordinator with Conserving Carolina, which built and maintains the trail.

In addition to the nearly 360-degree views, accessible from a 1-mile climb through rocky, shaded forest, or up a 1-mile dirt road, the summit is home to summer-grazing cows. If you want to avoid them, head up top midday, when the cows will be looking for shade.

Sunset from Bearwallow Mountain in the Hickory Nut Gorge.

Sunset from Bearwallow Mountain in the Hickory Nut Gorge.

Courtesy of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy

Getting there: From downtown Asheville, take I-240 East to Exit 9/U.S. 74A east toward Fairview. Go about 17 miles and turn right onto Bearwallow Mountain Road in Gerton. Continue on the road for 2 miles. Park on the narrow gravel area on the shoulder of the road, but don’t block the gate. Walk behind the gate and start the trail at the kiosk.

Waterrock Knob

Where: Milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, southwest of Asheville in Haywood County

Highlights: Grab a backpack and a picnic basket for this one. The Waterrock Knob area is arguably one of the prettiest places for a picnic, without having to hike a foot. But you can also hike to the 6,292 summit, or on the newly completed 2-mile section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, constructed by the Carolina Mountain Club.

A hiker and his dog take in the view at the summit of the Craggy Pinnacle trail Friday, June 15, ...more

A hiker and his dog take in the view at the summit of the Craggy Pinnacle trail Friday, June 15, 2018.

In August 2016, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, more than 5,300 acres along the parkway near Waterrock Knob were permanently protected with funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the work of four land conservation groups and millions of dollars in private funds.

The parkway is now working with local stakeholders and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to add new exhibits and create a new recreation area within the parkway.

Getting there: Take the parkway south from Asheville for about a two-hour drive. Or take I-40 west to Exit 27 and continue on U.S. 74 west to the Soco Gap entrance to the parkway in Haywood County.

Kevin Powers, and his wife Lynn Powers, of Nebo, hike the Craggy Gardens trail on the Blue Ridge ...more

Highlights: This is the highest point you can reach in the Great Smokies, at 6,643 feet elevation. And bring a jacket, because it is cool year-round. Extensive renovation work was just performed on the tower last year. The finishing asphalt overlay was supposed to have been finished last week, but park spokeswoman Dana Soehn said wet weather never allowed the contractor to start the work. So, the tower is open for now. Dogs are not allowed.

Other trails lead down from the summit, including the Forney Ridge Trail, which leads to Andrews Bald, and a sea of Catawba rhododendron, and the Appalachian Trail, which passes over its highest points in the park on the 2,190-mile path from Georgia to Maine.

Getting there: From Asheville, take I-40 West to Exit 27. Continue west on U.S. 19/23 to Exit 103 toward Maggie Valley and Cherokee. Go about 25 miles and turn north onto U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road in the park. Follow U.S. 441 to Clingmans Dome Road.